News roundup: Bundy standoff could have been 'bloodbath'

The Bundy standoff could have been a 'bloodbath.' Lifferth apologizes for NAACP slam. Ranchers sue the feds over wild horses.

Happy Friday. The standoff between BLM agents and an armed civilian militia could have turned into a "bloodbath," according to Las Vegas Metropolitan police officers who were ordered to stand between the two sides and urge calmer heads to prevail. The tensions were so high people were making death threats and ready to shoot at authorities, no matter who they were. "We didn't show any fear that day, but I can tell you, we all thought in the back of our minds, we all thought it was going to be our last day on earth, if it went bad," said Sgt. Tom Jenkins of the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department. An amazing read into how dangerous the situation was in the Nevada desert. [8NewsNow]

Topping the news: Rep. David Lifferth apologizes for his tweets calling the NAACP a racist organization. He says his logic was flawed. [Trib] [ABC4]

-> A group of 13 Utah ranchers sued the BLM for failing to remove wild horses that are sharing the range with cattle and sheep. [Trib] And the Utah Wildlife Board threw its support behind the effort to pressure the federal government to react quickly. [Trib]

-> BLM authorities tell a San Juan County commissioner that his planned protest ride through Recapture Canyon will open him up to potential criminal or civil charges. [Trib]

-> A new audio recording reveals the raw emotions between former Utah AG Mark Shurtleff and embattled businessman Jeremy Johnson. [Trib]

Tweet of the day: From @RomRicks1: "BREAKING: Rob Ford 2 step down, become spokesman for Keystone Pipeline. "When it comes to pipes & Canada, who knows better?"

Happy Birthday: To former state Sen. Karen Morgan and on Sunday to GOP campaign guru Dave Hansen and Sen. Todd Weiler.

In other news: The number of Utahns who bought insurance through Obamacare doubled in the last month of open enrollment. The count stand at about 84,600. [Trib] Nationally, more than 13 million people got health care coverage under exchanges, expanded Medicaid or CHIP, according to the administration. [Politico]

-> The names of two fallen police officers were added to a memorial on Thursday. [Trib][KUTV] [Fox13]

-> UTA is asking for public input on a few significant, and minor, changes to its bus routes. [Trib]

-> Transportation experts suggest a raise in Utah's fuel tax to handle an expected population boom. [Trib]

-> Utah could face a rough wildfire season and responders are concerned that unmanned aerial vehicles, i.e. drones, could cause problems if civilians start flying them around the fire-fighting operations. [DNews]

-> PETA petitions the Utah Department of Transportation to erect a roadside memorial to honor hundreds of turkeys that died in a truck crash. [Trib] [KUTV]

-> The YWCA plans to use new data to promote women's safety, health, economic security and education. [Trib] [DNews]

-> Rep. Jason Chaffetz grilled a former general about the military's response to Benghazi terrorist attack. The general said the military should have tried to help the Americans stuck at the consulate. [DNews]

-> The DNews spikes an ad from the Utah Newspaper Project, which is calling on the Justice Department to investigate a change in the joint operating agreement between DNews and the Trib. [CityWeekly]

-> At least two famous Utahns will be at this weekend's White House Correspondents' Association dinner: former Gov. Jon Huntsman and gold medal snowboarder Sage Kotsenburg. See what other celebrities and politicians are expected to attend. [TheHill]

Nationally: A large majority of Americans want to raise the minimum wage — an issue Democrats are playing up ahead of November's elections — but it's not an issue voters care about when they go to the polls. [WaPost]

-> When the White House fights back about a reporter's tweets, it's likely because it was flagged by a 24-year-old staffer who monitors the feeds. [Yahoo]

-> The majority of people insist they don't like political dynasties, but they actually do. [NatJournal]

Where are they?

Rep. Jason Chaffetz speaks at the BuildPac event and holds a noon fundraiser.

Gov. Gary Herbert takes a personal day.

Lt. Gov. Spencer Cox speaks at the commencement ceremonies for Snow College's Richfield Campus.

SL Co. Mayor Ben McAdams attends the Unified Fire Authority School.

SLC Mayor Ralph Becker joins the opening presentations for "And the Banned Played On" screening at Jeanne Wagner.

President Barack Obama welcomes German Chancellor Angela Merkel to the White House. The two leaders will hold a joint press conference. In the afternoon, the president will meet with Asian American and Pacific Islander business and faith leaders to talk about immigration reform.

Got a tip? A birthday, wedding or anniversary to announce? Email us at cornflakes@sltrib.com. If you haven't already, sign up for our weekday email and get this sent directly to your inbox. [Trib]

— Thomas Burr and Matt Canham Twitter.com/thomaswburr and Twitter.com/mattcanham